Sports
Azuma named boxer of the month
The WBC named Ghanaian Azumah Nelson as its "Boxer of the Month of February" for having successfully defended his world featherweight title against Mexican Marcos Villasana.Nelson won a split verdict (116-113, 116-112 and 113-113) over Villassana on February 26 in Los Angeles.
Canada-based Nigerian boxer Michael Olajide got the recognition he deserved following his first mention in the latest ratings released in Mexico City by the World Boxing Council (WBC).
Olajide was ranked the eight contender for the undisputed world middleweight title held by American Marvin Hagler.
Another Nigerian, Bashiru Ali, retained his Number Two ranking in the cruiserweight category in which American Bernard Benton is champion.
Agony of Yara's daughter
The burning desire of 23-year-old daughter of the late celebrated footballer, Baba Yara to witness the historic and moving posthumous honouring of the father by the State never materialized as death laid its icy hands on the girl's eight-month-old son at the last hour.Yasmil Baba Yara, together with the husband, Alhaji iddrisu Fuseini had finalised arrangements to travel to Accra for the occasion when suddenly their son fell sick the day they were to leave for Accra. The son died the next Friday.
Incidentally, the boy, who was named after the grandfather, did not live to read about the monumental contributions of the grandfather towards the promotion and development of Ghana football.
Egypt start badly
It was a day of gloom for hosts Egypt as Senegal pipped them 1-0 in the opening Group "A" match of the 15th African Cup of Nations final tournament in Cairo.After a stalemate first half, outside-left Youm netted the back-breaker which silenced the vociferous crowd in the 67th minute.
Egypt, Mozambique, Ivory Coast and Senegal are in the Cairo-based Group "A" while Morocco, Algeria, Zambia and holders Cameroon are locked in the Group "B" based in Alexandra. Two teams qualify from each side for the semi-finals.
Oyo keeps AFC post
Mr Orok Oyo of Nigeria has retained his post as a Vice-President of the African Football Confederation (AFC). He beat two other opponents from the Republic of Benin and Togo in an election held at the headquarters of the AFC in Cairo, Egypt. Mr Oyo's victory message was sent to the Nigeria Football Association's Chairman, Group Captain Tony Ikazoboh by the secretary of the NFA, Mr Patrick Okpomo, who is attending the meeting in Cairo.According to Group Captain Ikazoboh, he got Mr Okpomo's message through the tele- phone and he was "still waiting for the full details of the election." The chairman has, however, sent a congratulatory message to Mr Oyo on behalf of Nigerian football.
NSC to be re-structured
Plans are underway to "re-organise the National Sports Council (NSC)," Minister of Social Development Youth and sports, Lt-Col Abdulahi has said in Kano.Exchanging views with the Kano State director of sports, Alhaji Aliyu Sambo, said that some of the measures to be taken include the reduction in the membership of the NSC board and the setting up of four zonal headquarters outside Lagos.
Strive to enlighten public
Professional sports writers must strive to enlighten the public, the executive members of the Sokoto State wing of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) have been charged.Speaking at the swearing-in of the executive, the state director of sports, Alhaji Sani Kangiwa, urged members to especially encourage the wealthy ones, on the need to sponsor sporting activities and to contribute towards sports development.
Alhaji Sani said that the task ahead of the association was by no means small, adding that in view of the religious belief of the majority of the people of the state, "you must do a lot to convince them and further popularise sports in the state."
He urged them to be objective in all their coverage and criticisms, pointing out that the public depended so much on the media for information and "you cannot afford to fail. them."
Wrestlers set for Commonwealth Games
Wrestlers who will represent Nigeria at the Edinburgh Commonwealth Games in July will be selected during the fourth Inter-State Senior Men's Wrestling Championships.The secretary of the Nigeria Amateur Wrestling Association (NAWA), Mr J. Ayinde- Peters, said in a statement that those selected would proceed to Ibadan where they would be camped in readiness for the Games. Both local and international competitions have been organised for the wrestlers by the association prior to the Games, Mr Ayinde- Peters said. …
Ayew Abedi Pele is obviously over the moon after scoring the 40th minute goal that gave the Black Stars of Ghana a 1-0 win in the finals of the Supreme Council for Sports in Africa, Zone Three Championship in Accra. The Black Stars have won the trophy for the fourth successive time. Niger beat Burkina Faso 2-1 to claim the third spot.
